Space Forum / Space Science / January 2006

I am a little disappointed that many do not take the trouble to explain why
they give a particular answer. I certainly do not think it does the image of
science or scientists any favours not to at least point to a resource or
give a simple explanation of why they think as they do.

Does anybody at NASA (or anywhere else) have the dates when New Horizons
is expected to cross the orbits of the planets?
All anyone mentions seems to be the Jupiter encounter.  I heard in
passing a comment that the Mars crossing will occur in three months but

http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/
MER-B/Opportunity Launch Now Set For July 6
Kennedy Space Center
July 3, 2003

after looking at all the sci.space groups, i've decided this has the highest
signal ratio so......
does anyone know what the transmit radio system is? wattage, antenna type,
ERP?

Some of the new photos coming out showing the larger particle impacts
seem to show erosion on the erogel retaining frame.  There appears to
be a black coating of some sort over the metal frame that has been worn
away in spots.(to me it appears to most worn on the edges of each

Why only do a fly-by with the New Horizons spacecraft?  I know the
capabilities of this spacecraft are light years beyond the Voyagers and
Pioneers (in terms of fly-bys), but why not just go ahead and put the craft
into orbit around Pluto for long term study?

Here is  a little challenge for you.
How would you explain the concepts behind these  to someone who was not a
scientist, but has basic knowledge about the universe, you know gravity,
speed of light etc.

I am having a scenario as under.
I need to calcluate approx. minimum round trip for comunication where
path used is a satellite link. consider the transmission in both
direction is via geostationary satellite & travelling at spped of

http://www.ucsc.edu/news_events/press_releases/text.asp?pid=799
January 11, 2006
UC Santa Cruz Press Release
Contact: Tim Stephens (831) 459-2495; stephens@ucsc.edu

Folks
Reading through various articles about the upcoming launch of the New
Horizon probe I did not manage to locate any solid information about
the amount of energy & light available from the Sun on Pluto.

MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR IMAGES
January 5-11, 2006
The following new images taken by the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) on
the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft are now available:

    "it must be noted that your planet is moving ahead with her
own activities. A series of quickening movements is in process
around your globe. This can lead suddenly to catastrophes that can

I was just wondering about this.  I remember checking the daily updates
with my office mates about the two rovers on Mars.  We were really
disappointed by the amount or quailty of information that was coming
out of NASA from the rovers.  We heard all about minerals that might

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